Annual Report 2020 CONTENTS New York State Police Wall of Honor ........................................................................................................... 2 COVID-19 Response .................................................................................................................................... 3 Trooper Rescues Trapped Motorist .............................................................................................................. 4 Loon Lake Rescue ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Basic School Graduation ............................................................................................................................... 6 Academy ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Administration ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Aviation Unit .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Bomb Disposal Unit.……………………………………………………………………………………..…………10 BCI .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Canine Unit.................................................................................................................................................. 14 CCSERT...................................................................................................................................................... 15 Communications ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Crime Lab .................................................................................................................................................... 17 Mobile Field Unit ......................................................................................................................................... 18 NYSIC/JTTF ................................................................................................................................................ 19 OEM ............................................................................................................................................................ 20 PSB ............................................................................................................................................................. 21 Underwater Recovery Team ....................................................................................................................... 22 SIU .............................................................................................................................................................. 23 SORT .......................................................................................................................................................... 24 Troop A ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Troop B ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Troop C ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Troop D ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 Troop E ........................................................................................................................................................ 29 Troop F ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 Troop G ....................................................................................................................................................... 31 Troop K ........................................................................................................................................................ 32 Troop L ........................................................................................................................................................ 33 Troop NYC .................................................................................................................................................. 34 Troop T ........................................................................................................................................................ 35 2020 Statistics ............................................................................................................................................. 36 1 NEW YORK STATE POLICE WALL OF HONOR Since 1917, one-hundred and 49 New York State Troopers have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of New York. In 2020, we lost two members in the line of duty. Ryan D. Fortini – January 1, 2020 On January 1, 2020, Investigator Ryan D. Fortini died from cancer stemming from his assignment to the World Trade Center site, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Following the events of 9/11, Investigator Fortini was assigned to aid with the search and recovery efforts in New York City, as part of the New York State Police Detail. Investigator Fortini entered into retirement from the New York State Police on July 15, 2015, because of his worsening illness. Investigator Fortini joined the State Police on November 2, 1998, and was assigned to Troop K and the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team in the Hudson Valley. Investigator Fortini is survived by his fiancé, parents, brother, and sister. Jennifer M. Czarnecki – December 5, 2020 Trooper Jennifer M. Czarnecki died on December 5, 2020, from an illness stemming from her assignment to the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Following the events of 9/11, Trooper Czarnecki was assigned to aid with the search and recovery efforts in New York City as part of the New York State Police Detail. Trooper Czarnecki entered into retirement from the New York State Police on November 3, 2020, because of her worsening illness. During her 20 years of service, Trooper Czarnecki was assigned to Troops A and D. Trooper Czarnecki is survived by her husband, mother and brother 2 COVID-19 RESPONSE In 2020, the mission of the State Police expanded to assist in the state’s COVID-19 response. In March, State Police members started to help with the transport of critical specimens to be tested at labs for COVID-19. Between March and April of 2020. Also, in March, members started to assist at the testing sites. As of 2021, members assisted at 25 testing sites across the state. The mission expanded to assisting the Department of Health at airports, seven in all. While some members assisted with transports and at the different sites across the state, other Troopers were still on regular patrols, answering calls for service and enforcing the law as we always have. Previous training came in handy for members during the pandemic, as Troopers are trained on how to protect themselves and the public from communicable diseases and practiced social distancing when possible. Members were supplied with gloves, masks and Tyvek suits, and were instructed to wear masks if they are in close contact with members of the public. State Police members frequently participated in car parades for birthdays or special events within the community and volunteered with food and PPE distribution to the public. The State Police asked the public for assistance, making sure to advise dispatchers and first responders if they, or any member of their household were experiencing flu-like symptoms, to help first responders can prepare to prevent the spread of any illnesses. Members were supplied with gloves, masks and Tyvek suits, and were instructed to wear masks if they are in close contact with members of the public. 3 TROOPER RESCUES MOTORIST After a night of record-breaking snowfall totaling over 45 inches and continuing snow in Tioga County, local law enforcement and troopers had their hands full with a large volume of disabled vehicle complaints and road closures. Zone Sergeant Jason Cawley started off his shift calling the 911 center asking if there were any people who were disabled and did not have heat. Sergeant Cawley learned that a man had called 911 numerous times after his vehicle went off the roadway and became stuck in the snow. Numerous patrols in the area attempted to locate the driver, to no avail. Sergeant Cawley began to patrol the area where the man’s last known location seemed to be. Realizing that the man’s vehicle might be camouflaged by what were now seven-foot high snowbanks, Sergeant Cawley began to methodically search a three-mile stretch of the roadway. He climbed snowbanks and uncovered other vehicles off the road, none of which were occupied. Sergeant Cawley began to search the specific GPS coordinates that was captured by 911 just before the man’s phone battery died. He found what